Mules at Hale Useful in Places Trucks Can’t Go

Although modern means of transporting men and material, like the truck and the jeep, are here to stay, the Army is still relying heavily on the slow but steady mule at Camp Hale, Carson’s wintry sub-post and site of “Exercise Hail Storm.”

The mules not only carry all four of the firing battery’s 75 millimeter howitzers, which are stripped down in sections and packed on 24 mules, but also food supplies, field equipment and, perhaps most important to them, their own feed.

The long-eared workers will carry a load of about 350 pounds with comparative ease, according to Maj. Willard J. Klafehn, battalion executive officer from Vista, Calif.

Mule Intelligent

Contrary to popular thought, the mule is not mean, stubborn or stupid, Maj. Klafehn said. “A mule is intelligent, and, if properly trained by his leader, will go almost anywhere,” he said.

The major added that each animal is different, an individual with his own particular temperament. “He’ll kick once in a while,” the major admitted, “but normally he’s a good-natured animal and a hard worker.”

An interesting feature of a mule’s make-up is his razor-sharp memory. He remembers and will go to great lengths to avoid difficult obstacles that have previously confronted him.

Solves Snow Problem

A major problem the pack outfit faces in winter operations is movement through deep snow. The mule can move adeptly through drifts of two feet, but deeper drifts still stop him. While most of the animals will calmly await help if they sink down too far to move, there is always the danger that some may injure themselves struggling to get free. Therefore, the deep snow must be cleared away.